What do people think of these two music competititons?

College Majors Music Major
1

http://bmifoundation.org/programs/info/bmi_student_composer_awards

http://www.tribecanewmusic.org/

Thank you.

2

BMI can be a bit of work to prepare - you have to make a score with a pseudonym. It is anonymous and the judges do not listen to the music, only read the score so the playing field is level. It’s also extremely competitive. Tribeca is worth applying to - although they charge an entry fee. You’ll eventually recognize all the names of the past winners.You get a performance in NYC and money.

Definitely add ASCAP’s Morton Gould Composition prize to your list - free and easy to submit to, but not anonymous. They award more prizes than BMI and they have an under 18 category and judge the younger composers differently.

These pages are good resources:
http://waldenschool.org/about-us/community-resources/competitions-awards-and-calls-for-scores/ http://www.composerssite.com/new_opp

I recommend submitting to those with upper age limits, and hopefully free.

3

I was going to say exactly the same thing: suggest ASCAP and post the link to Walden’s site with a comprehensive list of competitions! Another competition for younger students is your state music teachers’ organization(s).

Is your son studying composition with a teacher? In a conservatory prep? (If the latter then competitions are posted on bulletin boards).

The main thing for a composer who is not in a college/conservatory composition program is finding ways to get pieces played. Your son is a pianist and can presumably play his own piano pieces but for any other instrumentation or vocals he will need a way to get his work performed.

In my opinion this is the only really good reason to enter competitions.

Another way to get pieces played is to go to summer programs. And/or study in a conservatory prep or university program that provides excellent musicians. A conservatory prep can provide a place to study, play and also do theory and history, if there is one near you. If you call a music dept. at a university there may be a professor (or grad student) who could not only teach but also provide performance opportunities for your son’s compositions.

If he becomes interested in electroacoustic work there are programs for that too.

I’ve written more than you asked for, sorry.